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Replacement battery brands

After 5 1/2 years it is time to replace the battery. Obviously I can go to the dealer and get an exact replacement. What other brands have any of you found and what stores carry them? Are they exact replacements, vent and all?

Both Interstate and Autozone market exact replacements with a vent tube port. Both cost considerably more than the Volvo branded replacement battery, but both also provide a significantly longer warranty.

Based on my reading, I believe they are all made by Johnson Controls and possibly (likely?) are identical internally. I believe that the added cost of the aftermarket brands is essentially insurance premium to cover the longer warranty, so I went with the lower priced Volvo battery from the dealer. Still a premum price for a battery of this size and capacity, but I found that there is no better deal unless you elect to forgo the vent tube.

Interstate is CHEAPER than a Volvo battery by about 20 bucks
Vent tube should be there depending on what Volvo and where the battery is.
P2 cars, a necessity

Well, going from the price range quoted on the Interstate web site ($140.95 - $186.95), Interstate is not cheaper - by a long shot. That is the info I am going on. I guess its possible that some Interstate dealers would sell at a considerable discount. I did not call any to check. The Volvo dealer price was about $112 and they did give me 10% off with a coupon.

AT THE DEALER
(for me)
Interstate, about $128, Volvo battery $150
I haven't seen a Volvo battery priced at $112 for 6 years!

Interesting. I can scan my receipt, if you don't feel like taking my word for it.

One variable affecting over the counter price may be shipping costs. A 46 lb item can't be cheap to ship these days, and there are probably special precautions taken because of the acid. So the further from the factory likely the higher the price to the end customer. That may explain some of the difference on the Volvo battery, otherwise go figure(?) because less than two months ago I paid just $96.04 with the coupon - looks like they actually gave me nearly 15% off as the receipt says list price is $112.05. P/N 30772221-5 (plus $12 refundable core price).

Sounds like I should have called around for pricing on the Interstate. Based on your comparison it may also have been cheaper here. Autozone wanted $140 something, though, so I figured the Interstate would be about the same based on the price info on their web site.